Atlantic island
Madeira
A volcanic island roughly 500 kilometres out in the Atlantic, with no continental shelf to slow the swell. It arrives with full force onto lava-rock reefs and points, and the southwest coast around Jardim do Mar and Paul do Mar holds some of the best right-hand points in Europe when it is on. Warm water all year, very few sand beaches, and mostly a wave for confident, experienced surfers. A 2003 seawall at Jardim do Mar damaged that wave and it is still a sore point locally. Coverage here is light for now.
Towns
São Vicente
A municipality on Madeira's north-west coast, cooler and greener than the south, whose coastline at Fajã da Areia made it known for surfing.
Surf
Funchal
Madeira's capital on the sheltered south coast. No surf in the city itself, but the base most travellers use, with the reefs of the southwest and the northeast a drive away.
Surf
Jardim do Mar
A village on the southwest coast beneath tall cliffs, home to a long right-hand point that was world-class until a 2003 seawall cut it short. Still a serious wave on its day, for experienced surfers only.
Surf
Paul do Mar
A narrow fishing village along the shore just north of Jardim do Mar, with a powerful left-hand reef that has held international events. Heavy, shallow and for advanced surfers.
Surf
Porto da Cruz
A green valley village on the northeast coast, more exposed than the south, with a rock-and-sand beach and reefs that pick up north swell. One of the island's more approachable spots.
Surf
Machico
A town in the east with one of Madeira's very few sand beaches, made with sand imported from Morocco. Sheltered and gentle, and the main place on the island to learn.
SurfSpots here
Fajã da Areia
The north-coast spot that made São Vicente known for surfing, among the volcanic landscapes of Madeira's quieter side. Lefts and rights for intermediate and advanced surfers, and still uncrowded.
IntermediatesAutumn and winterJardim do Mar
A long right-hand point on Madeira's southwest coast, world-class before a 2003 seawall shortened it and made it more dangerous. Still a heavy, high-quality wave on a big clean swell, for experienced surfers only.
Advanced surfersOctober to MarchMachico
A sheltered bay in eastern Madeira with one of the island's only real sand beaches, imported from Morocco. Gentle and forgiving, and the island's main place to learn to surf.
BeginnersWinter for the northeast swell; workable in summer on rare south swellPaul do Mar
A powerful right-hand reef in front of a fishing village on Madeira's sunny south-west coast, known for hollow, cylindrical waves on a solid swell. Strictly for advanced and expert surfers.
Experts onlyAutumn and winterPorto da Cruz
A north-coast village where Madeira's first surf school opened in 2010. The reef in front of the seafront is consistent on a north swell, but a newer seawall has made it an expert-only wave.
Experts onlyAutumn and winterSpots at a glance
| Spots | Break | Suits | Best season | Town |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machico | Beach break | Beginners | Winter for the northeast swell; workable in summer on rare south swell | Machico |
| Fajã da Areia | Beach break | Intermediates | Autumn and winter | São Vicente |
| Jardim do Mar | Point break | Advanced surfers | October to March | Jardim do Mar |
| Paul do Mar | Reef break | Experts only | Autumn and winter | Paul do Mar |
| Porto da Cruz | Reef break | Experts only | Autumn and winter | Porto da Cruz |
Schools & rentals here
Aroundfreedom Surf School
A surf school in Machico on Madeira's east coast, listed by the island tourism board, teaching on one of the island's only real sand beaches.
SurfMadeira Surf Camp
A surf camp and school at Praia da Alagoa in Porto da Cruz on Madeira's northeast coast, certified by the Portuguese Surf Federation and the tourism and port authorities.
SurfEvents here
Nothing listed here yet. Know something that belongs? Tell us.
Common questions
- Can beginners surf in Madeira?
- Only really at Machico, which has one of the island's few sand beaches. Everywhere else breaks over lava rock and reef and is for experienced surfers. Madeira is not a first-trip destination.
- What happened to the wave at Jardim do Mar?
- A seawall built in 2003 and 2004 shortened the ride and left the wave breaking onto concrete blocks. It still works on a big clean swell but the window is short and the inside is a hazard.